Nearly 500 wine experts, including sommeliers and wine journalists make up the The World’s Best Vineyards Academy. Selected for their extensive knowledge of wine and wine tourism, its aim is to foster wine tourism and encourage people to explore the world’s best wineries and vineyards.
They present together the 50 most incredible places to learn about viticulture and wine tasting, considering other aspects than just the wines, such as: the restaurant, the route, the atmosphere, the staff, the views, cost, reputation, accessibility, everything which makes the visit to a vineyard a valuable and a valued and gratifying experience for visitors.
The commercial success of Marqués de Riscal meant that the bodega soon had to make a first enlargement. In 1883 work began on building the bodega known as El Palomar (the Dovecote) in the style of the Bordeaux cellars. In 2011 it was remodeled, turning it into a space equipped with the latest technology and the most advanced machinery for making fine quality wines, and it is here that today the premium wines from Marqués de Riscal are made. The Plaza del Reloj is also the location of the entrance to the Jardín Inglés (English Garden), a quiet place to stop and relax, where time seems to stand still so as to take in the history and culture that seeps from every corner of these bodegas.
At the heart of the Marqués de Riscal City of Wine stands the jewel in the crown of the Marriot International hotel chain: the Hotel Marqués de Riscal, a Luxury Collection Hotel. Designed by Frank O. Gehry, one of the world’s top architects, responsible, among other major works, for the Bilbao Guggenheim Museum, the hotel combines the most deeply rooted winemaking tradition with an avant-garde design, luxury and the most advanced technology of the 21st century.
In this edition of The World’s Best Vineyards Academy the South American wineries stand out as the best destinations, occupying part of the first positions. Marqués de Riscal is the first Spanish winery in the Top 10 being in sixth place. The Spanish representation was made up of another three bodegas, González Byass-Tío Pepe, Bodegas Vivanco y Familia Torres.